Consultant - Media and Communications Specialist

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Bangkok

Job Family: Public Information

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 12-AUG-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

1. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok) helps shape the public image and raise the Organization’s visibility in the region through media and communications outreach, publications, office website and social media. It supports the communications goals of all teams across the Organization’s areas of competence in the field office and the region. As a central service in communications, it fields regular requests from colleagues for communications-related support around initiatives, publications, campaigns and others. Also provide critical input to the UNESCO Bangkok website and social media channels, ensuring that content is engaging for all of UNESCO’s stakeholders, including external audiences.

Moreover, the UNESCO Bangkok Communication and Information (CI) unit provides capacity building, policy guidance and advocacy on Freedom of Expression, Safety of Journalists, Access to Information, Media Development, Media & Information Literacy, Internet Governance, AI and Digital Transformation, the Memory of the World Programme to safeguard documentary heritage, Open Educational Resources and the UN Decade for Indigenous Languages (2023-32).

2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok is seeking an experienced Individual Consultant specializing in Media and Communication. This is a high-impact advisory role that involves providing critical input to UNESCO’s communication strategies in the Asia-Pacific region. The successful candidate will assume high-level responsibilities, analyzing complex communication issues, and developing innovative methods and approaches.

The assignment requires in-depth examination of technical factors and the formulation of strategic proposals to address communication challenges within UNESCO’s mandate.

The assignment provides strategic advice, quality control and management support to the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and ensures the overall coordination of the development, implementation and monitoring of the approved programme and budget of the regional office, as well as the communication with other senior programme specialists in the office, with other agencies of the United Nations System and with external partners.

3. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall authority of the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok and the direct supervision of the Adviser for Communication and Information, the Individual Specialist shall develop communication materials to enhance UNESCO’s visibility in the region. The specialist will lead the planning, development and implementation of external communication activities in order to raise the visibility of the office with its audiences, on the international agenda, and in the media, in collaboration with programme sections/teams to prepare overall communications strategies, develop messaging and communication goals and implement strategies through appropriate media.

Long Description

The specialist works within the frameworks of UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy (C/4s), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and according to global development plans such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Also within the framework of UNESCO’s Communication and Information (CI) Programme 2024-2025, in particular its Output  8.CI5  on “Member  States  have  strengthened  institutional  and  human  capacities  to  integrate  media  and  information  literacy  (MIL)  in  policies  and  strategies” and Output 6.CI 2 Performance Indicator 3 on the “Number of Member States in which duty bearers have benefited from policy advice and capacity development strategies to improve legislative and institutional frameworks related to freedom of expression and access to information”

The Individual Specialist shall specifically perform the following tasks:

Strategic Advisory Role:

• Provide critical input and strategic advice on the design, development, implementation and monitoring of communication strategies and strategic approaches to enhance UNESCO’s visibility in the region.
• Analyze complex communication issues and propose innovative solutions that align with UNESCO’s goals and objectives, particularly in the context of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy.
• Develop political and strategic briefing notes ahead of key engagements for senior UNESCO officials, including the CI advisor and the Regional Director
• Advise on staffing needs and assessment criteria for Commuinications functions under the auspices of UNESCO Bangkok

Content Development and Quality Control:

• Write, edit and review a wide range of materials for the Regional Director and the Bangkok office, including speeches, remarks, op-ed articles, video messages, talking points, press statements, outreach documents, on issues that cover the spectrum of UNESCO Bangkok’s mandate, in consultation with UNESCO programme colleagues in Bangkok, other field offices and headquarters, as necessary, ensuring consistency with UNESCO’s communication goals.
• Oversee the production of the content to be published on the UNESCO web portal and social media channels, ensuring all content is engaging and aligned with UNESCO’s strategic priorities, in cooperation with colleagues, other Sectors and central services as required; ensure quality control and updating of the content on the web in English and/or French; coordinate the updating of other language versions according to needs; guide colleagues on all web related activities and issues.

Leadership and Coordination:

• Lead the planning, development, and implementation of strategic communication activities, ensuring alignment with UNESCO's communication and information (CI) program goals.
• Establish, develop and maintain working relationships with key media organizations and journalists across the region, acting as a media relations specialist for UNESCO at major conferences and special events, liaising with partner agencies as needed in communications outreach.
• Collaborate closely on UNESCO’s work for UN Communications work, attending meetings, seeking and building links and exchanges as per the One UN framework, and representing UNESCO Communications on the Regional Collaborative Platform; Advise the Senior Management Team and staff as well as Country & Regional Offices, as possible, on options of UNESCO strategy orientation for communication.
• Build the communications capacity of colleagues across UNESCO country offices as required, including through workshops and direct mentorship

Long Description

Innovation and Digital Strategy:

• Design and develop new media outlets/assets to increase UNESCO’s brand visibility and maximize impact of the current platforms (podcasts and networks). This includes the upgrade and design of new digital brands and promotional products to increase outreach i.e. brand video, brochures, brand merchandise.
• Devise, develop and implement strategy for new digital initiatives, tailored to different demographics for new signups to social media accounts, customized to age and gender self-identification. 

Advocacy and Outreach:

• Produce promotional products for the “MIL Cities” designation in Mekong region and introduction of available tools and resources for MIL capacity building, such as through webinars, workshops and advocacy.
• Conceptualize and organize the United Nations flagship commemorations such as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (28 September 2025), Global MIL Week (24-31 October 2025), the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (2 November 2025) and World Press Freedom Day (3 May 2026).
• Provide editorial guidance to support the development of Concept Notes, Project Proposals, and reports related to freedom of expression, safety of journalists, and media and information literacy.
• Serve as a representative for CI Bangkok at selected public and diplomatic engagements, as required by the CI Advisor

Long Description

Reporting and Evaluation:

• Regularly monitor and report on the effectiveness of communication strategies, proposing adjustments as necessary to enhance visibility and impact.
• Monitor emerging political and reputation risks in the Mekong countries and advise on how they affect UNESCO Bangkok’s Communications Positioning

Undertake additional tasks assigned by the Regional Director of UNESCO Bangkok, contributing to the overall strategic direction of UNESCO Bangkok’s communication efforts.

Location and Travel:

• The Individual Specialist will be based in Bangkok, Thailand and work within the premises of the UNESCO Bangkok office.
• The Specialist may be required to travel on mission directly related to programmes or projects implementation during the assignment. The Specialist should travel economy class and received DSA at the standard rate (and which should be reduced, as necessary, when the number of days of DSA exceeds the limits stipulated in the table of rates published by ICSC). DSA is only payable to individuals carrying out assignments away from their usual place of residence or work. The Specialist is expected to make her/his own travel arrangements and should be provided with a lump sum to cover travel-related expenses in accordance with UNESCO rules and regulations. Travel-related expenses (e.g. the cost of tickets, terminal fares and DSA) must be fixed and agreed between the parties.

4. TIMEFRAME AND DELIVERABLES

Monthly deliverables:

• Monthly reports of completed work, including the number of deliverables and products created, along with remarks and speeches for the Regional Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok.

In line with UNESCO's overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the Individual Specialist is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in communications, public relations, or journalism, with significant experience in strategic advisory roles.

• Proven ability to analyze complex communication challenges and develop innovative strategies or policy proposals.

• Extensive experience working within the UN system or similar international organizations, with a deep understanding of UNESCO's mandate and established contacts with Asia-Pacific media outlets.

Skills/Competencies:

• Exceptional English writing and communication skills, with experience in senior-level media engagement and digital strategy.

• Strong leadership and coordination skills, with the ability to manage complex communication projects and lead cross-functional teams.

Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of English (both written and spoken) is required.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiarity with UNESCO’s communication and information programs, including media and information literacy, freedom of expression, and digital transformation initiatives.

• Experience in policy development and capacity-building in the context of international development goals.

Languages:

• Knowledge of another official UNESCO language (French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese) is desirable.

APPLICATION PROCESS

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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